key: cord-104435-y7mxyein
authors: Alabdulmonem, Waleed; Shariq, Ali; Rasheed, Zafar
title: COVID-19: A global public health disaster
date: 2020
journal: Int J Health Sci (Qassim)
DOI: nan
sha: 
doc_id: 104435
cord_uid: y7mxyein

nan

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh known CoV to cause infection in humans after 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV, and SARS-CoV. [3] The exact source of SARS-CoV-2 is still not known, but some metagenomic studies showed its association with bats and pangolins. [4] As compared to the previous CoVs, the infectivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 is comparatively much higher, and the mode of transmission of this deadly virus is primarily by respiratory droplets from an infected individual to others through coughing, sneezing within a distance up to 6 feet, or touching of infected surfaces, where the viral particles are present. [5] It is documented that the incubation period for this virus ranges from 2 to 14 days and after that period, the disease usually starts with a high-grade fever (>100.4°F or >38.0°C) with pneumonialike symptoms such as chills, headache, fatigue, generalized body pain, and flue. After 2-7 days, COVID-19 patients may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that can progress to pneumonia. [6] The overall mortality rate was anticipated to be 9%, but increasing to 50%, particularly those above aged 60 years. [7] Patients suffered from some underlined comorbidity such as diabetes and cardiovascular complications were also reported to prone to this viral respiratory disorder. [6] At present, the only therapeutic measures to deal with this viral infection are only supportive and preventive, which are directed only to reduce the transmission of spread in the community. [1, 8] Although it is documented that the virus has not replicated outside the living cell, it remains infectious through environmental contamination, particularly from the crowded places, such as shopping malls and hospitals, which are believed to be the vital sources of its transmission. [1, 8] It is also important for the readers to know that the period of persistence of this virus viability is still not completely defined, but several scientists assumed that it may influence by several factors such as temperature and humidity. [9] The transmission of virus can be decreased to a large extent by adopting strict infection control policies, which are basically a team base efforts and everyone has to play their roles. As per the recommendations of the WHO, everyone must adopt social distancing by residing at home and avoid unnecessary travel as much as possible. [8, 9] Being an enveloped virus, SARs-CoV-2 is comparatively easy to disinfect; therefore, hands hygiene plays a vital preventive tool from getting infected, washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to disinfect hands have strongly been recommended by the WHO. [ Other preventive measures are educating the general public by creating awareness regarding the spread of the virus that not only control in declining the incidence of disease but also prevent us to decrease the stigma of fake myths associated with COVID-19. It is also very important for the readers to know that the likely time period of this global pandemic is still uncertain and its implications are still unwinding. Therefore, this is a challenging situation that requires a team-based efforts from every individual in every society to overcome from this deadly global disaster.

Zoonotic origins of human coronaviruses

Viral metagenomics revealed Sendai virus and coronavirus infection of Malayan pangolins (Manis javanica)

Inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols